11-11-16 MinutesYELM CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2016 MINUTES
1. Mayor Foster called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Cub Scout Pack 267 of Yelm
led the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Roll Call Present: EJ Curry, Molly Carmody, Tad Stillwell, Tracey Wood, Joe
DePinto and Russ Hendrickson.
3. Agenda Approval
16-116 MOTION BY TRACEY WOOD TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
SECONDED BY RUSS HENDRICKSON MOTION CARRIED.
4. Special Presentations -
Yelm Rotary/City of Yelm September Student of the Month - Chris Saelens
Presentation moved further down the agenda to provide time for Chris Saelens to
arrive.
Chris Saelens was unable to attend the meeting. Mayor Foster read the Bio sheet
for Chris Saelens.
5. Public Comment -
Karen Anderson, Yelm resident and acting President of the newly formed Special
Needs PTA in Yelm. The PTA was formed to join the entire district together for the
benefit of helping special needs students. They are in the final stages of approving
the Executive Board. The PTA will be reaching out to the schools and community
with resources and training that are available.
6. Consent Agenda
Minutes - Regular Meeting September 27, 2016
Payables - Checks #67693 - #67774 Totaling $579,647.57.
16-117 MOTION BY MOLLY CARMODY APPROVING THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
PRESENTED. SECONDED BY TAD STILLWELL. MOTION CARRIED.
7. Public Hearing - none scheduled
8. New Business -
a. Consideration of Applications for Council Position #3 Vacancy
Mayor Foster gave all applicants 3 minutes to address Council.
Jim Helms retired after 23 years of military service and is interested in the open
Council position. He has lived in Yelm for the last 10 years and really likes the
area. Mr. Helms has his Associates Degree and is currently working on his
Bachelors Degree in Health Administration with a focus on Physical Therapy
Assistant. Mr. Helms would like to be a Councilmember so he can represent the
people of Yelm.
Scott Bradley thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to address the
Council. Mr. Bradley sees the opportunity for positive change in Yelm. He has a
diverse background in engineering, infrastructure set up and maintenance,
budgeting, education, public service for homeless population of Thurston County.
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He is a seasoned leader with strong interpersonal skills and is committed to the
process of an objective approach to open communication and transparency.
Yelm's current and future infrastructure needs must be a priority. Yelm must think
outside the box, explore, and adapt to new concepts that will allow our
community to be successful now and in the future. Balance is the key commodity.
Mr. Bradley's intent is to grow Yelm responsibly.
Scott Bannister has been a resident of Yelm for almost 5 years and wants to
make Yelm better and stronger and look out for everybody.
Terry Kaminski loves Yelm and wants to make it a better place. She thanked the
public for attending the meeting tonight. Ms. Kaminski has lived in Yelm for 20
years and has committed herself to many venues in the City. She has been on the
Planning Commission for 11 years and has gained an amazing foundation of
information and knowledge of the process and how it works and the laws that
govern that process. Membership on the Planning Commission is the perfect
springboard for City Council. She feels she would be a valuable asset to the
Council.
Lanakila Washington was not present.
Jennifer Littlefield is a School Teacher and was unable to attend due to Parent-
Teacher conferences.
a. Executive Session
At 6:20 Mayor Foster announced that Council will go into a 15 minute Executive
Session to evaluate qualifications for appointment to elective office, Position #3
(RCW 42.30.110 (h)). At 6:35, Mayor Foster reconvened the meeting.
b. Appointment to fill Council Position #3 unexpired term
16-118 MOTION BY JOE DEPINTO TO NOMINATE SCOTT BRADLEY TO POSITION
#3. SECONDED BY TAD STILLWELL. AYE-CARMODY, STILLWELL,
DEPINTO.
16-119 MOTION BY RUSS HENDRICKSON TO NOMINATE JENNIFER LITTLEFIELD.
SECONDED BY TRACEY WOOD. AYE-HENDRICKSON, WOOD, CURRY.
MAYOR FOSTER CAST THE DECIDING VOTE FOR JENNIFER LITTLEFIELD
(RCW 35A.12.100). MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Foster stated there has been more interest in the vacant Council position
than we have ever had in the history of Yelm, which is a good thing. There have
been some excellent candidates. Mayor Foster called out Scott Bradley for his
participation at the Study Sessions and Council meetings to show his interest.
Mayor Foster appreciates the attendance from the public and their support for the
candidates. It is a very difficult decision to make. Mayor Foster feels the most
important thing to do for Yelm right now is to have someone that can hit the
ground running with full knowledge and abilities to help the Council in difficult
decisions. There will be five Council positions available in 2017 so please stay
interested.
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8. d. Legislative Services Contract with Lobbyist — Kathleen Collins and Davor
Gjurasic
Grant Beck, Community Development Director stated that the City of Yelm has
engaged the services of Kathleen Collins of Capitol Strategies Consulting and
Davor Gjurasic of Gjurasic Public Affairs since 2005 to support the City's legislative
agenda. The efforts of Ms. Collins and Mr. Gjurasic have helped move initiatives
important to the City forward in the legislature, including initial funding for the SR
510 Loop, funding for the restrooms at Longmire Park and funding for the new
Yelm Community Center. The compensation is the same as previous years, $4,000
per month plus expenses. The total amount of the contract will be $28,000,
reflecting a regular legislative session. If a special session or sessions are
required, the agreement allows for continuation of the services provided at the
same month amount. Priorities for the upcoming session, as proposed by Mayor
Foster and reviewed by the City Council at its retreat held on September 17
include: Protect funding for the completion of the SR 510 Yelm Loop, Work to
move construction funding up for the SR 510 Yelm Loop, Protect funding for the
Transportation Policy Board, Safe Routes to Schools, and Freight Mobility and seek
to secure funding for capital projects identified by the Mayor and Council. In
addition, the City's consultants will coordinate efforts with a Lobbyist representing
the South Sound Military and Community Partnership to support the many issues
common to Yelm and this important regional partner. Councilmember Stillwell
asked to have the lobbyists attend an upcoming Study Session to give updates on
their progress. Mayor Foster stated they would be attending a Study Session to
prioritize topics. Councilmember DePinto has worked with both of the lobbyists
and they are very professional and get results.
16-120 MOTION BY MOLLY CARMODY AUTHORIZING MAYOR FOSTER TO ENTER
INTO A CONSULTANT AGREEMENT WITH KATHLEEN COLLINS AND DAVOR
GJURASIC TO PROVIDE LOBBYIST SERVICES ON ISSUES OF BENEFITS TO
THE CITY OF YELM DURING THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
SECONDED BY EJ CURRY. MOTION CARRIED.
9. Old Business — none scheduled
10. Mayor and Council Initiatives
Councilmember Curry met with Chief Stancil along with Councilmembers DePinto
and Stillwell as the Public Safety Liaisons. Councilmember Curry along with
Councilmembers Carmody and Stillwell met with the Finance Department as their
Liaisons. Also attended the SE Thurston County Fire Authority Commission and
they discussed impact fees assessment and they are having low staffing issues.
Councilmember Curry met with Mayor Foster for an orientation. Mayor Foster asked
if all of the jurisdictions passed the impact fees that would be imposed on new
construction. They are waiting on Thurston County. Grant is coordinating with Chief
King so that all the impact fees will be collected at the same time after everyone
has adopted them, possibly after the first of the year.
Councilmember Carmody is deeply disappointed with Mayor Fosters decision to
choose Jennifer Littlefield for Position #3. Jen Littlefield has been voted down twice
by the people of Yelm. To choose Ms. Littlefield over any of the other candidates
shows lack of foresight and respect for the citizens of Yelm. Councilmember
Carmody reported that the Finance Committee went over the basic budget revenue
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and expenditures. They are getting ready to present the amended 2016 Budget to
Council on October 25, 2016 and work has begun on the 2017 Budget.
Councilmember Stillwell mirrored Mayor Foster's comments about the interest in
being a Councilmember. It is a tough job but it is part of our civic duties.
Councilmember Stillwell reported on the Public Safety Liaison meeting with Chief
Stancil and got a good snap shot of the department.
Councilmember Wood stated the citizens of Yelm elected this body to make
decisions that are best for Yelm. It is good to see so much participation by the
public. Councilmember Wood stated that Jen Littlefield has a lot of experience in
the community. She has been on the Council as well as the Planning Commission
and that is why he chose her for Council. The citizens will have an opportunity to
vote in 2017. Councilmember Wood attended the TComm 911 Admin Board
meeting and reviewed the preliminary budget, went over the meeting schedule and
discussed funding the Department of Licensing Photo Cad Enhancement, which
would allow them to send photos electronically.
Councilmember DePinto attended the Public Safety Liaison meeting and the
Community Development Liaison meeting along with Councilmember Carmody.
STEDI will meet next week in the room next door. Councilmember DePinto would
like to see the Yelm Cemetery District put on the agenda for the next meeting per
their email to Council. Thanked the public for attending the meeting and the
applicants that applied for Council Position #3. He encouraged everyone to run
next year for the open Council positions. Councilmember DePinto was a little upset
with the decision making process tonight..
Councilmember Hendrickson attended the Yelm Emergency Operations Board
meeting and reported there have been 400 people in Yelm that have signed up for
AlertSense. On December 12 at 5:30pm on Tilley Road is the Thurston County
Emergency Management meeting. October is Disaster Preparedness month, the
"Great Shake" Out is October 20, and Chief Stancil will give more information later.
Mayor Foster responded to the comments made tonight by saying as Mayor,
when he has a tie breaker vote, his vote is for the best interests of the citizens of
Yelm and that is why he made the decision that he did based on what he knows as
an elected person and having worked within the City government which is elected
to serve the people. He has a 100% chance of disappointing 50% of the Council
when he has a split vote. He made the best decision at the time for the citizens of
Yelm. Congratulations to Jen Littlefield. Mayor Foster had kick-off meetings with
Finance and Community Development Council sub committees, which were
beneficial to the Council as well as the Department Heads. Met with Department
Heads and had promised to update Council on the departments especially when it
comes to personnel. There are two open positions at the Public Works department,
both have been advertised and interviews will be coming up in the next couple of
weeks. Public Works and Water facilities are working on their facilities plan, which
is a very technical, thick document and will come before Council in the near future.
The Police Department is interviewing for a lateral officer. Chief Stancil stated the
background process will begin next week on the applicants and hopefully will have
someone on board no later than December 1. The Senior Accounting Clerk position
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has closed and based on the conversation that will be had with the union, that
position might be filled very quickly. The Community Development team is working
very hard on the Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Foster attended the entrance
interview with the Washington Auditor along with Councilmember's Carmody and
DePinto. There was good discussion at the last Study Session on clarity on the
budget and initiating more work for items that Community Development will be
presenting. Mayor Foster proposed a Town Hall type meeting for November 4 at 7
pm at the Yelm Community Center to discuss the two topics that came out of the
Study Session. The location of Cannabis Retail stores in the City of Yelm and
regulations regarding Food Trucks. Mayor Foster worked with legal counsel on
negotiations with the new union. Attended the Thurston Regional Planning meeting
and heard many compliments on the Community Development staff. Also went to
the brand new Veterans Support Center in Lacey behind the South Puget Sound
Community College. campus. It was a cooperative effort between the Veterans
Affairs office and the City of Lacey and many others. By all accounts, it is the #1
Veterans Benefit Center in the whole region. Attended the Yelm Chamber luncheon
today at the Yelm Community Center.
11. Executive Session - At 6:59 Mayor Foster announced that Council will go into a
15 Executive Session to discuss potential litigation (RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i)). Steve
Delulio will be present by phone. At 7:15, Lori Mossman, City Clerk announced an
additional 10 minutes needed in executive session.
At 7:25, Mayor Foster reconvened the meeting.
12. Correspondence included -
Thurston County Auditor New Release -Voter Registration Deadlines
Thurston County Auditor News Advisory -Opening Ceremony for the South County
Licensing Agency
Yelm Area Chamber of Commerce Enewsletter for October 2016
Thurston County Auditor News Released -Extended Hours in Elections Division as
Voter Registration Deadline Approaches
16-121 MOTION BY JOE DEPINTO TO ADJOURN, SECONDED BY RUSS
HENDRICKSON. MOTION CARRIED.
13. Adjourned at 7:26 pm.
Attest:
JW Foster, Mayor Lori Mossman, City Clerk
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